India will kick off their Champions Trophy 2025 journey with a match against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20. This tournament marks the first major ICC event for Team India under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Since taking over from Rahul Dravid, Gambhir’s tenure has been met with mixed results, with the team struggling to find consistent form. Additionally, there have been whispers of unrest within the dressing room, adding to the challenges before the global event.
Reported Discontent Over Wicketkeeper Selection
According to sources close to the team, a current Indian wicketkeeper is reportedly unhappy with Gambhir’s decisions. The player, who has not been the first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs, suspects external influences have played a role in his omission from the playing XI.
KL Rahul remains India’s preferred wicketkeeper-batter in the 50-over format, having performed admirably in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Despite a recent dip in form, he continues to hold his position in the squad and is likely to feature prominently in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, who has secured his place in Test cricket, has struggled to establish himself in ODIs. Since returning from a serious accident, Pant has played just one ODI match, where he managed only six runs against Sri Lanka in 2024.
India’s Squad for Champions Trophy 2025
India has assembled a strong squad for the upcoming tournament, led by captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill. The team features experienced players like Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Hardik Pandya, alongside a mix of promising talents in both batting and bowling departments.
India Squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
- Captain:Â Rohit Sharma
- Vice-Captain:Â Shubman Gill
- Batters:Â Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer
- Wicketkeepers:Â KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant
- All-rounders:Â Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar
- Bowlers:Â Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh
With their first game set against Bangladesh, Team India will look to put internal conflicts aside and focus on making a strong start in their quest for the Champions Trophy.
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